Animated delivery of electronic messages

ABSTRACT

An electronic message is transformed into moving images uttering the content of the electronic message. Methods of the present invention may be implemented on devices such as smart phones to enable users to compose text and select an animation character which may include cartoons, persons, animals, or avatars. The recipient is presented with an animation or video of the animation character with a voice that speaks the words of the text. The user may further select and include a catch-phrase associated with the character. The user may further select a background music identifier and a background music associated with the background music identifier is played back while the animated text is being presented. The user may further select a type of animation and the animation character will be animated according to the type of animation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a formalization of a previously filedprovisional patent application entitled “Animated Delivery of ElectronicMessages,” filed Jan. 24, 2014, as U.S. patent application Ser. No.61/931,240 by the inventor(s) named in this application. This patentapplication claims the benefit of the filing date of the citedprovisional patent application according to the statutes and rulesgoverning provisional patent applications, particularly 35 USC §119 and37 CFR §1.78. The specification and drawings of the cited provisionalpatent application are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is related to methods of communication, includingcomputer programs, user interface, devices, and network systems, wheretext is converted into a moving image with voice. In particular, themethods, which may be implemented on smart phones and/or computernetwork systems, allow the users to compose electronic messages andselect an animation character, and the message is converted into voiceand moving images of the animation character is displayed on a screen inmotion uttering the message.

BACKGROUND

The present invention discloses methods of communication usingelectronic messages such as texts or emails where the composer of theelectronic message selects an animation character to present the messageto the recipient in spoken words. The electronic message may be aninstant message, personal message, text message, e-mail, or voicemail.The animation character may be the image of oneself or a “selfie,” awell-know human character like the actor Clint Eastwood, a cartooncharacter like Jerry the Mouse, an animal character like a cat or a dog,or an avatar character like the character in the movie Avatar. The textof the message is converted into speech. The image of the animationcharacter is animated using computer animation or CGI. The recipient'sdevice displays the moving images or video of the animation characterand outputs the speech. The speech is synthesized and may be in anylanguage.

A device such as a smart phone can be used to implement the methods. Auser can utilize the device, which includes a processing unit andprogram code, to compose an electronic message and select an animationcharacter. The device converts the text of the electronic message intospeech. The device further generates moving images of the animationcharacter. The speech and the moving images are transmitted via thedevice. For instance, the user selects a photograph of herself, inputsthe phrase “you complete me,” and the recipient of the electronicmessage is presented with moving images of the user uttering the words“you complete me.” In a preferred embodiment, the speech is synthesizedin such a way that is characteristic of the voice of the actress “ReneeZellweger” who uttered the phrase “you complete me” in the movie “JerryMaguire.”

In different embodiments, conversion of text to speech and generation ofmoving images can occur on different devices. The computer networksystem includes the sender's device, recipient's device, servers andcommunication network. Servers include dedicated computer systems andassociated software for speech synthesization and animation of animationcharacter, as specified herein. The communication network comprises atleast one of the Internet, Wi-Fi, ground-based communication devices andsoftware, routers, cables, interface software, air-based communicationdevices, satellites, and satellite transceivers. In one preferredembodiment, voice synthesization and image animation is performed byservers and transmitted to recipients' devices.

In a preferred embodiment, the recipient's device receives the sender'stext and animation character and performs the operations of voicesynthesization and animation generation. For instance, the sender inputsthe text “love means never having to say you're sorry” and selects thecharacter “Ryan O'Neal.” The text and image (or in an alternativeembodiment, an image identifier which identifies the image of RyanO'Neal) is transmitted via the user's device through the communicationnetwork and are received by the recipient's device, such as an iPhone.The recipient's iPhone notifies the recipient, through badges, alerts,or banners, that the recipient has received an electronic message. AnApp, embodying this preferred embodiment, is activated and the recipientsees an animated Ryan O'Neal speaking the words “love means never havingto say you're sorry.” In a preferred embodiment, the catch-phrase “lovemeans never having to say you're sorry” which was uttered by the actorRyan O'Neal in the movie “Love Story” is selectable and it does not haveto be inputted by the sender.

Speech synthesis is the artificial production of human speech. Acomputer system used for this purpose is called a speech synthesizer,and can be implemented in software or hardware products. Atext-to-speech (TTS) system converts normal language text into speech;other systems render symbolic linguistic representations like phonetictranscriptions into speech.

Synthesized speech can be created by concatenating pieces of recordedspeech that are stored in a database. Systems differ in the size of thestored speech units; a system that stores phones or diphones providesthe largest output range, but may lack clarity. For specific usagedomains, the storage of entire words or sentences allows forhigh-quality output. Alternatively, a synthesizer can incorporate amodel of the vocal tract and other human voice characteristics to createa completely “synthetic” voice output.

The quality of a speech synthesizer is judged by its similarity to thehuman voice and by its ability to be understood. An intelligibletext-to-speech program allows people with visual impairments or readingdisabilities to listen to written works on a home computer. Manycomputer operating systems have included speech synthesizers since theearly 1990s.

A text-to-speech system (or “engine”) is composed of two parts: afront-end and a back-end. The front-end has two major tasks. First, itconverts raw text containing symbols like numbers and abbreviations intothe equivalent of written-out words. This process is often called textnormalization, pre-processing, or tokenization. The front-end thenassigns phonetic transcriptions to each word, and divides and marks thetext into prosodic units, like phrases, clauses, and sentences. Theprocess of assigning phonetic transcriptions to words is calledtext-to-phoneme or grapheme-to-phoneme conversion. Phonetictranscriptions and prosody information together make up the symboliclinguistic representation that is output by the front-end. Theback-end—often referred to as the synthesizer—then converts the symboliclinguistic representation into sound. In certain systems, this partincludes the computation of the target prosody (pitch contour, phonemedurations), which is then imposed on the output speech.

The present invention implements these existing technologies(Text-to-Speech, or TTS systems) to synthesize the voice of theanimation character. Synthesization of the animation character speechcan be created by either concatenating pieces of recorded speech thatare stored in a database, or by incorporating a model of the vocal tractand other animation character voice characteristics to create acompletely synthetic voice output.

Computer animation or CGI animation is the process used for generatinganimated images by using computer graphics. The more general termcomputer-generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamicimages, while computer animation only refers to moving images. Modemcomputer animation usually uses 3D computer graphics, although 2Dcomputer graphics are still used for stylistic, low bandwidth, andfaster real-time renderings. Sometimes the target of the animation isthe computer itself, but sometimes the target is another medium, such asfilm.

Computer animation is essentially a digital successor to the stop motiontechniques used in traditional animation with 3D models andframe-by-frame animation of 2D illustrations. Computer generatedanimations are more controllable than other more physically basedprocesses, such as constructing miniatures for effects shots or hiringextras for crowd scenes, and because it allows the creation of imagesthat would not be feasible using any other technology. It can also allowa single graphic artist to produce such content without the use ofactors, expensive set pieces, or props. To create the illusion ofmovement, an image is displayed on the computer monitor and repeatedlyreplaced by a new image that is similar to it, but advanced slightly intime (usually at a rate of 24 or 30 frames/second). This technique isidentical to how the illusion of movement is achieved with televisionand motion pictures. For 3D animations, objects (models) are built onthe computer monitor (modeled) and 3D figures are rigged with a virtualskeleton.

For 2D figure animations, separate objects (illustrations) and separatetransparent layers are used, with or without a virtual skeleton. Thenthe limbs, eyes, mouth, clothes, etc. of the figure are moved by theanimator on key frames. The differences in appearance between key framesare automatically calculated by the computer in a process known astweening or morphing Finally, the animation is rendered.

For 3D animations, all frames must be rendered after modeling iscomplete. For 2D vector animations, the rendering process is the keyframe illustration process, while tweened frames are rendered as needed.For pre-recorded presentations, the rendered frames are transferred to adifferent format or medium such as film or digital video. The frames mayalso be rendered in real time as they are presented to the end-useraudience. Low bandwidth animations transmitted via the internet (e.g. 2DFlash, X3D) often use software on the end-users computer to render inreal time as an alternative to streaming or pre-loaded high bandwidthanimations.

The present invention implements these existing technologies (computeranimation or CGI animation systems) to generate moving images of theanimation character. Animation of the animation character can be in 2Dor 3D which mimics the traditional frame-by-frame or stop-motiontechniques, respectively.

In most 3D computer animation systems, an animator creates a simplifiedrepresentation of a character's anatomy, analogous to a skeleton orstick figure. The position of each segment of the skeletal model isdefined by animation variables, or Avars. In human and animalcharacters, many parts of the skeletal model correspond to actual bones,but skeletal animation is also used to animate other things, such asfacial features (though other methods for facial animation exist). Thecharacter “Woody” in Toy Story, for example, uses 700 Avars, including100 Avars in the face. The computer does not usually render the skeletalmodel directly (it is invisible), but uses the skeletal model to computethe exact position and orientation of the character, which is eventuallyrendered into an image. Thus by changing the values of Avars over time,the animator creates motion by making the character move from frame toframe.

There are several methods for generating the Avar values to obtainrealistic motion. Traditionally, animators manipulate the Avarsdirectly. Rather than set Avars for every frame, they usually set Avarsat strategic points (frames) in time and let the computer interpolate or‘tween’ between them, a process called keyframing. Keyframing putscontrol in the hands of the animator, and has roots in hand-drawntraditional animation. Accordingly, the present invention may implementthis technique to create and change the values of Avars over time togenerate moving images of the animation character.

In contrast, a newer method called motion capture makes use of liveaction. When computer animation is driven by motion capture, a realperformer acts out the scene as if they were the character to beanimated. His or her motion is recorded to a computer using videocameras and markers, and that performance is then applied to theanimated character. Accordingly, the present invention may implement themotion capture technique to generate moving images of the animationcharacter.

Each method has its advantages, and as of 2007, games and films areusing either or both of these methods in productions. Keyframe animationcan produce motions that would be difficult or impossible to act out,while motion capture can reproduce the subtleties of a particular actor.For example, in the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man'sChest, actor Bill Nighy provided the performance for the character DavyJones. Even though Nighy himself doesn't appear in the film, the moviebenefited from his performance by recording the nuances of his bodylanguage, posture, facial expressions, etc. Thus motion capture isappropriate in situations where believable, realistic behavior andaction is required, but the types of characters required exceed what canbe done through conventional costuming.

3D computer animation combines 3D models of objects and programmed orhand “keyframed” movement. Models are constructed out of geometricalvertices, faces, and edges in a 3D coordinate system. Objects aresculpted much like real clay or plaster, working from general forms tospecific details with various sculpting tools. Unless a 3D model isintended to be a solid color, it must be painted with “textures” forrealism. A bone/joint animation system is set up to deform the CGI model(e.g., to make a humanoid model walk). In a process called rigging, thevirtual marionette is given various controllers and handles forcontrolling movement. Animation data can be created using motioncapture, keyframing by a human animator, or a combination of the two. 3Dmodels rigged for animation may contain thousands of control points—forexample, the character “Woody” in Pixar's movie Toy Story, uses 700specialized animation controllers. Rhythm and Hues Studios labored fortwo years to create Aslan in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: TheLion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which had about 1851 controllers, 742in just the face alone. In the 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow,designers had to design forces of extreme weather with the help of videoreferences and accurate meteorological facts. For the 2005 remake ofKing Kong, actor Andy Serkis was used to help designers pinpoint thegorilla's prime location in the shots and used his expressions to model“human” characteristics onto the creature. Serkis had earlier providedthe voice and performance for Gollum in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord ofthe Rings trilogy. Accordingly, the present invention may implement 3Dcomputer animation technique to generate moving images of the animationcharacter.

Computer animation can be created with a computer and animationsoftware. Some impressive animation can be achieved even with basicprograms; however, the rendering can take a lot of time on an ordinaryhome computer. Because of this, video game animators tend to use lowresolution, low polygon count renders, such that the graphics can berendered in real time on a home computer. Photorealistic animation wouldbe impractical in this context. Professional animators of movies,television, and video sequences on computer games make photorealisticanimation with high detail. This level of quality for movie animationwould take tens to hundreds of years to create on a home computer. Manypowerful workstation computers are used instead. Graphics workstationcomputers use two to four processors, and thus are a lot more powerfulthan a home computer, and are specialized for rendering. A large numberof workstations (known as a render farm) are networked together toeffectively act as a giant computer. The result is a computer-animatedmovie that can be completed in about one to five years (this process isnot composed solely of rendering, however). A workstation typicallycosts $2,000 to $16,000, with the more expensive stations being able torender much faster, due to the more technologically advanced hardwarethat they contain. Professionals also use digital movie cameras, motioncapture or performance capture, bluescreens, film editing software,props, and other tools for movie animation. Accordingly, the presentinvention may utilize these types of animation software and hardware togenerate moving images of the animation character.

The realistic modeling of human facial features is both one of the mostchallenging and sought after elements in computer-generated imagery.Computer facial animation is a highly complex field where modelstypically include a very large number of animation variables.Historically speaking, the first SIGGRAPH tutorials on State of the artin Facial Animation in 1989 and 1990 proved to be a turning point in thefield by bringing together and consolidating multiple research elements,and sparked interest among a number of researchers. The Facial ActionCoding System (with 46 action units such as “lip bite” or “squint”)which had been developed in 1976 became a popular basis for manysystems. As early as 2001 MPEG-4 included 68 Face Animation Parameters(FAPs) for lips, jaws, etc., and the field has made significant progresssince then and the use of facial microexpression has increased. In somecases, an affective space such as the PAD emotional state model can beused to assign specific emotions to the faces of avatars. In thisapproach the PAD model is used as a high level emotional space, and thelower level space is the MPEG-4 Facial Animation Parameters (FAP). Amid-level Partial Expression Parameters (PEP) space is then used to in atwo level structure: the PAD-PEP mapping and the PEP-FAP translationmodel. Accordingly, the present invention may incorporate these facialanimation techniques in generating moving images of the animationcharacter.

In 2D computer animation, moving objects are often referred to as“sprites.” A sprite is an image that has a location associated with it.The location of the sprite is changed slightly, between each displayedframe, to make the sprite appear to move. Computer animation usesdifferent techniques to produce animations. Most frequently,sophisticated mathematics is used to manipulate complexthree-dimensional polygons, apply “textures”, lighting and other effectsto the polygons and finally rendering the complete image. Asophisticated graphical user interface may be used to create theanimation and arrange its choreography. Another technique calledconstructive solid geometry defines objects by conducting Booleanoperations on regular shapes, and has the advantage that animations maybe accurately produced at any resolution. Accordingly, the presentinvention may incorporate these computer animation techniques togenerate moving images of the animation character.

Computer-assisted animation is usually classed as two-dimensional (2D)animation. Creators drawings either hand drawn (pencil to paper) orinteractively drawn (drawn on the computer) using different assistingappliances and are positioned into specific software packages. Withinthe software package the creator will place drawings into different keyframes which fundamentally create an outline of the most importantmovements. The computer will then fill in all the “in-between frames”commonly known as Tweening Computer assisted animation is basicallyusing new technologies to cut down the time scale that traditionalanimation could take, but still having the elements of traditionaldrawings of characters or objects. Two examples of films usingcomputer-assisted animation are Beauty and the Beast and Antz.Computer-generated animation is known as 3-dimensional (3D) animation.Creators will design an object or character with an X, Y and Z axis.Unlike the traditional way of animation no pencil to paper drawingscreates the way computer generated animation works. The object orcharacter created will then be taken into a software, key framing andtweening are also carried out in computer generated animation but arealso a lot of techniques used that do not relate to traditionalanimation. Animators can break physical laws by using mathematicalalgorithms to cheat, mass, force and gravity rulings. Fundamentally,time scale and quality could be said to be a preferred way to produceanimation as they are two major things that are enhanced by usingcomputer generated animation. Another great aspect of CGA is the factyou can create a flock of creatures to act independently when created asa group. An animal's fur can be programmed to wave in the wind and lieflat when it rains instead of programming each strand of hairseparately. Three examples of computer-generated animation movies areToy Story, The Incredibles and Shrek. Accordingly, the present inventionmay incorporate computer-assisted and/or computer-generated animationtechniques to generate moving images of the animation character.

Incorporating and applying these technologies to an electronic messagecan transform plane texts into interesting short films. The presentinvention seeks to provide methods for communication using electronicmessages where users can use their creativity to enhance their contents.Images and videos have much greater impact than simple words.Transforming electronic messages according to the present invention isdesirable.

Although various systems have been proposed which touch upon someaspects of the above problems, they do not provide solutions to theexisting limitations in providing methods of communication for users tocompose electronic messages and select a character where the message isconverted into voice and the character is displayed on a screen inmotion uttering the message. For example, Coatta et al., U.S. Pat. App.No. 20140129650, discloses: “a wireless communications system thatallows a mobile phone, tablet or personal computer user the ability toinitiate the sending of a text message or email whereby the sender isable to include photographs, graphs, pie charts and the like within theflow of the actual word by word texting or email writing process,without depending on the traditional necessary step to ‘attach’ thephotograph.” However, the disclosure does not provide methods wheretexts are transformed into moving characters uttering the text.

Mamoun, U.S. Pat. App. No. 20140082520, discloses: “instant messagingapplications of all forms, ranging from standard short-message-service(SMS) text messaging to basic multimedia messaging incorporating soundsand images, to myriad ‘chat’ applications, have become a staple form ofcommunication for millions or billions of phone, computer and mobiledevice users. The following invention is composed of a set of claimsthat comprise a novel method and system for an enhanced, more expressivesystem of messaging that combines text and multimedia (audio, images andvideo) with a gesture-driven, animated interface especially suited forthe newest generation of touch-sensitive mobile device screens. Anadditional set of claims extends the gesture-driven interface to include‘hands-free’ spatial-gesture-recognizing-devices which can read andinterpret physical hand and body gestures made in the environmentadjacent to the device without actual physical contact, as well asadaptations for less-advanced traditional computers with keyboard andmouse.” However, Mamoun does not disclose methods where texts aretransformed into moving images uttering the text.

According to the surveys, mobile use around the world has beenincreasing over the past years. While music, games, news and otherfactors all played a role in the growth, electronic messaging has turnedout to be the bulk of what drove the spike in increased usage. Thepresent invention offers a simple, yet efficient, alternative toexisting technologies by incorporating methods of voice synthesizationand image animation to transform texts into what might be called a veryshort film! It provides a platform where users may use their creativityto enhance the content of their electronic messages.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses methods including computer programs,user interface, and computer network systems for composing andpresenting electronic messages. In particular, the methods allow a userto compose an electronic message and associate an animation characterwith the message. The recipient of the message receives the massage andthe message is presented through the animation character. As such, themessage is transformed into a video of the animation character utteringthe text.

In one aspect, a machine implemented method of communicating isdisclosed wherein the method comprises composing an electronic message,selecting an animation character, transmitting the electronic messageand animation character, receiving the electronic message and animationcharacter, converting the electronic message into speech, generatingmoving images of the animation character, transmitting the speech andmoving images, receiving the speech and moving images, outputting thespeech, and displaying the moving images.

In another aspect, a machine implemented method of communicating isdisclosed wherein the method comprises composing an electronic message,selecting an animation character, converting the electronic message intospeech, generating moving images of the animation character, andtransmitting the speech and moving images.

In another aspect, a machine implemented method of communicating isdisclosed wherein the method comprises receiving an electronic messageand an animation character, converting the electronic message intospeech, generating moving images of the animation character, andtransmitting the speech and moving images.

In another aspect, a machine implemented method of communicating isdisclosed wherein the method comprises receiving an electronic messageand an animation character, converting the electronic message intospeech, generating moving images of the animation character, outputtingthe speech, and displaying the moving images.

Preferably, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium providesinstructions that, when executed by a processing system, causes theprocessing system to perform communication operations according to anyone of the above methods.

Preferably, a device has a processing unit and program code stored on astorage device of said device wherein said program code performs amethod according to any of the above methods when executed by saidprocessing unit.

Preferably, a method provides a user interface for communicating whereinthe user interface is accessible via a device, said method comprising amethod according to any of the above methods. Preferably, anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium provides instructionsthat, when executed by a processing system, causes the processing systemto perform communication operations according to this method.Preferably, a device has a processing unit and program code stored on astorage device of said device wherein said program code performs amethod according to this method when executed by said processing unit.

Preferably, the electronic message is one of instant message, personalmessage, text message, e-mail, and voicemail.

Preferably, the animation character is one of human, animal, cartoon,and avatar.

Preferably, the step of converting the electronic message into speechcomprises utilizing pre-recorded speech of the animation character.

Preferably, the step of converting the electronic message into speechcomprises synthesizing speech of the animation character.

Preferably, the step of generating moving images of the animationcharacter comprises utilizing pre-animated images of the animationcharacter.

Preferably, the step of generating moving images of the animationcharacter comprises animating images of the animation character.

Preferably, the step of outputting the speech comprises playing back thespeech.

Preferably, the electronic message comprises a catch-phrase associatedwith the animation character.

Preferably, the above methods further comprise receiving abackground-music identifier, and outputting a background music accordingto the background-music identifier.

Preferably, the above methods further comprise selecting a type ofanimation, and wherein the step of generating moving images of theanimation character comprises generating moving images of the animationcharacter according to the type of animation.

In another aspect, a computer network system for communication isdisclosed wherein the system comprises a first device having aprocessing unit and program code stored on a storage device of saidfirst device, said program code to perform a method when executed bysaid processing unit, said method comprising composing an electronicmessage, selecting an animation character, transmitting the electronicmessage and animation character, and a server having a processing unitand program code stored on a storage device of said server, said programcode to perform a method when executed by said processing unit, saidmethod comprising receiving the electronic message and animationcharacter, transmitting the electronic message and animation character,and a second device having a processing unit and program code stored ona storage device of said second device, said program code to perform amethod when executed by said processing unit, said method comprisingreceiving the electronic message and animation character, converting theelectronic message into speech, generating moving images of theanimation character, outputting the speech, and displaying the movingimages.

In another aspect, a computer network system for communication isdisclosed wherein the system comprises a first device having aprocessing unit and program code stored on a storage device of saidfirst device, said program code to perform a method when executed bysaid processing unit, said method comprising composing an electronicmessage, selecting an animation character, transmitting the electronicmessage and animation character, and a server having a processing unitand program code stored on a storage device of said server, said programcode to perform a method when executed by said processing unit, saidmethod comprising receiving the electronic message and animationcharacter, converting the electronic message into speech, generatingmoving images of the animation character, and transmitting the speechand moving images, and a second device having a processing unit andprogram code stored on a storage device of said second device, saidprogram code to perform a method when executed by said processing unit,said method comprising receiving the speech and moving images,outputting the speech, and displaying the moving images.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting one preferred embodiment of a computernetwork system, including devices and communication network, which maybe utilized to implement the methods according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of one preferred method of communicating inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram of one preferred method of communicating inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram of one preferred method of communicating inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of one preferred method of communicating inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram of one preferred method of communicating inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts a diagram of one preferred embodiment of a computernetwork system for communication 100, including devices 102, 104, and106, and communication network 108, which may be utilized to implementthe methods according to the present invention. In this preferredembodiment, the device 102 is a smart phone such as those discussedabove or the Apple iPhone, the device 104 is a server such as thosediscussed above or the Hewlett-Packard Server, and the device 106 isalso a smart phone, such as the Apple iPhone. Execution of the presentmethods is not limited to iOS operating systems and other operatingsystems such as Android operating systems can be utilized. Execution ofthe methods discussed herein may be initiated by tapping on an icon 110,known to artisans of ordinary skill as an App. The devices 102, 104, and106 communicate through the communication network 108. The communicationnetwork 108 can be a combination of wired and wireless networks andcomprises at least one of the Internet, Wi-Fi, phone lines, ground-basedcommunication devices and software, routers, cables, interface software,air-based communication devices, satellites, and satellite transceivers.Execution of the steps included in the several methods discussed hereinmay be divided and performed separately by the devices making up thecomputer network system for communication 100. As known to artisans ofordinary skill, all the devices in the computer network system forcommunication 100, including the devices 102, 104, and 106, haveprocessing systems and program codes, stored on storage devices of thesedevices, which when executed, perform one or more of the several methodsof the present invention.

The App 110 may be used to execute the steps of one or more of theseveral methods discussed herein. For instance, the user of the device102, referred to as the sender, taps on the App 110 and is presentedwith a user interface, discussed in more details below, to compose atext message for a recipient using the device 106. The sender, using thedevice 102, uses the App 110 to compose a text message. In one preferredembodiment, all users of the devices 102 and 106 are originally assigneda default animation character. The sender may use the App 110 to selectan animation character of his/her choice, discussed in more detailsbelow. The sender, using the device 102, uses the App 110 to transmitthe text along with the animation character to the recipient using thedevice 106, via the communication network 108 and server systems usingservers such as the server 104 having processing units and program codesto manage the transmission and reception of communications between theusers including the electronics messages and animation characters usingdevices such as the devices 102 and 106.

The device 106 also includes the App 110 which may be used to executeone or more of the steps of the several methods discussed herein. In onepreferred embodiment, the user of the device 106, referred to as therecipient, is notified via badges, alerts, or banners, that anelectronic message has been received. The user of the device 106 taps onthe App 110 and is presented with a user interface, discussed in moredetails below, to be presented with an animated text according to thepresent invention. The recipient, using the device 106, uses the App 110to receive the electronic message and animation character from thesender using the device 102. The recipient, using the device 106, usesthe App 110 to convert the electronic message into speech, generatemoving images of the animation character, output the speech via thespeakers of the device 106, and display the moving images via thedisplay screen of the device 106. As such, the plane text and selectedanimation character of the sender is transformed into a presentationwhere moving images of the animated character speaks the words of thetext. For example, the sender, using the device 102 and App 110,composes a text message to his boss stating: “I just closed the 10million dollar deal and I'll be flying back first class and I don't wantbe questioned about my travel expenses. What you have to ask yourselfis, do I feel lucky. Well do ya' punk?” and selects an image of ClintEastwood as the animation character and the intended recipient, i.e. hisboss, using the device 106 and App 110, displays moving images of ClintEastwood uttering the words: “I just closed the 10 million dollar dealand I'll be flying back first class and I don't want be questioned aboutmy travel expenses. What you have to ask yourself is, do I feel lucky.Well do ya' punk?” In one preferred embodiment, the App 110 providessuch catch phrases associated with famous animation characters likeClint Eastwood to be selected and included in the electronic message.

In one preferred embodiment, the sender, using the device 102, uses theApp 110 to compose a text, select an animation character, convert thetext into speech, generate moving images of the animation character, andtransmit the speech and moving images to the recipient using the device106, via the communication network 108 and the server 104, as discussedabove. The intended recipient, using the device 106 uses the App 110 toreceive the speech and moving images, and to output the speech anddisplay the moving images via its speakers and display screen.

In one preferred embodiment, the server 104 receives a text message andanimation character from a user using the device 102. The server 104converts the text into speech, generates moving images of the animationcharacter, and transmits the speech and moving images to a recipientusing the device 106, via the communication network 108.

The above methods may be supplemented with additional steps. In onepreferred embodiment, the sender, using the device 102, uses the App 110to further select a background-music identifier and transmits a text, ananimation character, and the background-music identifier to a recipientusing the device 106, via the communication network 108, as discussedabove. The recipient, using the device 106, uses the App 110 to receivethe electronic message, animation character, and background-musicidentifier from the sender using the device 102. The recipient, usingthe device 106, uses the App 110 to convert the electronic message intospeech, generate moving images of the animation character, output thespeech via the speakers of the device 106, display the moving images viathe display screen of the device 106, and output a background musicaccording to the background-music identifier. As such, the plane textand selected animation character of the sender is transformed into apresentation where moving images of the animated character speaks thewords of the text while a background music is played. For example, thesender, using the device 102 and App 110, composes a text message to herboyfriend stating: “Hi love, I just bought a dress that cost 10,000dollars. BTW, you complete me!”, selects an image of Renee Zellweger asthe animation character, and a background-music identifier whichidentifies the song Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen, and the intendedrecipient, i.e. her boyfriend, using the device 106 and App 110,displays moving images of Renee Zellweger uttering the words: “Hi love,I just bought a dress that cost 10,000 dollars. By the way, you completeme!” while the song Secret Garden plays in the background. In onepreferred embodiment, the App 110 provides such background-musicidentifiers associated with famous movies like Jerry Maguire be selectedby the user.

In one preferred embodiment, the sender, using the device 102, uses theApp 110 to further select a type of animation and transmits a text, ananimation character, and the type of animation to a recipient using thedevice 106, via the communication network 108, as discussed above. Therecipient, using the device 106, uses the App 110 to receive theelectronic message, animation character, and type of animation from thesender using the device 102. The recipient, using the device 106, usesthe App 110 to convert the electronic message into speech, generatemoving images of the animation character according to the type ofanimation, output the speech via the speakers of the device 106, anddisplay the moving images via the display screen of the device 106. Assuch, the plane text and selected animation character of the sender istransformed into a presentation where moving images of the animatedcharacter, according to the selected type of animation, utters the wordsof the text. For example, the sender, using the device 102 and App 110,composes a text message to his daughter stating: “What's up doc?”,selects an image of Bugs Bunny as the animation character, and selectstap dancing as the type of animation, and the intended recipient, i.e.his daughter, using the device 106 and App 110, displays moving imagesof Bugs Bunny tap dancing and uttering the words: “What's up doc?” Inone preferred embodiment, the App 110 provides such animation types tobe selected by the user.

An App, such as the App 110, may be further configured to includemethods of providing a user interface to facilitate a visualrepresentation of the methods of communication discussed herein. Theuser interface may be implemented on one or more devices such as thedevices, 102, 104, and 106, separately or in combination. A user, suchas the sender or recipient discussed above, may utilize the App 110 soconfigured, to perform these methods. In the following and in relationto the discussion of the user interface, the term “box” is used todenote a region of the display page where the user of the interface maytap to execute one or more steps of a particular method. The box mayinclude hyperlinks or hypertexts, depending on the embodiment beingdiscussed.

FIG. 2 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 200 in accordance with the present invention. A box 206includes the title of the page “Home.” A box 202 shows the user'sanimation character. When a recipient receives the user's electronicmessage, the recipient will be presented with moving images of thisanimation character uttering the text of the user's message. A box 204shows certain information regarding the user's name, address, and thesignup date when the user joined the service. A box 208 shows the user'smessages and when tapped it will direct the user to another pageentitled “My Messages.” A box 210 shows how the user may send messagesand when tapped it will direct the user to another page entitled “SendMessages.” A box 212 shows how the user may edit his/her profile andwhen tapped it will direct the user to another page entitled “EditProfile.” A box 214 shows the user's friends (other users) and whentapped it will direct the user to another page entitled “My Friends.” Abox 216 shows how the user may find a friend (other users) and whentapped it will direct the user to another page entitled “Find a Friend.”A box 218 shows information about the user interface and when tapped itwill direct the user to another page entitled “About.” A box 220 showshow may sign out of the service and when tapped it will direct the userto another page entitled “Sign Out.” A box 222 provides some of theabove options and when tapped on a specific option it will direct theuser to another page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 3 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 300 in accordance with the present invention. A box 306includes the title of the page “My Friends.” Boxes 302, 308, and 312show animation characters of the user's friends. The box 302 shows theanimation character of Jerry the Mouse, the box 308 shows the animationcharacter of Clint Eastwood, and the box 312 shows the animationcharacter of a cat. Boxes 304, 310, and 314 show the names of the user'sfriends and when tapped it will direct the user to another page whosetitle is the name of the friend whose box was tapped. The box 304 showsthe user's Friend #1 whose animation character is Jerry the Mouse,Friend #2 whose animation character is Clint Eastwood, and Friend #3whose animation character is a cat. In this example, the user has onlythree friends and all the information fits within one page. This andother pages are scrollable so that the user can be presented with theentirety of the information. A box 316 provides some of the aboveoptions and when tapped on a specific option it will direct the user toanother page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 4 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 400 in accordance with the present invention. A box 404includes the title of the page “Friend #1.” This page shows all thecommunications between the user and Friend #1. A box 402 includes thetitle “You have a new message from Friend #1. The box 402 furtherincludes a box 406 entitled “Play Message” and a box 408 entitled “ShowOriginal Text Message.” A box 412 shows the date (Date 1) when themessage was delivered. When the user taps on the box 406, the user willbe directed to another page entitled “Play Friend #1 Message,” see FIG.6 discussed in more details below. When the user taps on the box 408,the user will be directed to another page entitled “Show Friend #1Original Text Message.” A box 410 shows the animation character ofFriend #1.

A box 416 includes the title “You sent message to Friend #1. The box 416further includes a box 418 entitled “Play Message” and a box 420entitled “Show Original Text Message.” A box 422 shows the date (Date 2)when the message was sent. When the user taps on the box 418, the userwill be directed to another page entitled “Play My Message.” When theuser taps on the box 420, the user will be directed to another pageentitled “Show My Original Text Message,” see FIG. 7 discussed in moredetails below. A box 414 shows the animation character of the user.

A box 428 includes the title “You have a new message from Friend #1. Thebox 428 further includes a box 426 entitled “Play Message” and a box 424entitled “Show Original Text Message.” A box 430 shows the date (Date 3)when the message was delivered. When the user taps on the box 426, theuser will be directed to another page entitled “Play Friend #1 Message,”and when the user taps on the box 424, the user will be directed toanother page entitled “Show Friend #1 Original Text Message.” A box 432shows the animation character of Friend #1.

A box 434 includes the title “Send Message” and when tapped it willdirect the user to another page entitled “Send Message,” see FIG. 5discussed in more details below. A box 436 provides some of the aboveoptions and when tapped on a specific option it will direct the user toanother page with the corresponding title.

As stated above, this page contains all the communications between theuser and Friend #1 and it may be scrolled up and down so that theentirety of the communications can be seen and/or accessed.Additionally, the boxes 410, 414, and 432 show the animation charactersof the user and Friend #1 at the time the messages were delivered andsent. In other words, although FIG. 4 show the same animation character,Jerry the Mouse, for Friend #1 on the dates Date 1 and Date 3, theseanimation characters can be different depending on which animationcharacter Friend #1 selected when sending his/her message. The same istrue for the user's animation character which can be different ondifferent dates.

FIG. 5 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 500 in accordance with the present invention. A box 502includes the title of the page “Send Message.” This page is presentedfor the user to compose his/her electronic message. A box 504 shows theuser's animation character, in this case the image of the Avatarcharacter in the movie “Avatar.” In one instance, when the user isdirected to this page, the use is presented with the moving images ofthe animation character Avatar uttering the words “Please Send YourMessage.” A box 506 includes the title “Type your message here” and whentapped by the user, the user device, such as the device 102, provides ameans such as a keyboard for the user to input the text. A box 508includes the title “Reply” and when pressed causes the message to betransmitted. As discussed above, the steps of electronic message tospeech conversion and generation of moving images of the animationcharacter may occur by the user's device, the server, or recipientdevice. As such, if the user device is so designated, tapping on the box508 performs those steps and transmits the speech and moving images. Abox 510 provides some of the above options and when tapped on a specificoption it will direct the user to another page with the correspondingtitle.

FIG. 6 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 600 in accordance with the present invention. A box 602includes the title of the page “Play Friend #1 Message.” This page ispresented for the user to watch Friend #1's electronic message. A box604 is used to display moving images of Friend #1's animation characterwhile uttering the words of Friend #1's electronic message. The imagesmay be 2D or 3D animated images of Friend #1's animation character asdiscussed above. In this illustrative example, Friend #1 had selectedJerry the Mouse for his/her animation character when he/she composedhis/her message and the user/recipient watches Jerry the Mouse's movingimages present Friend #1's message.

A box 606 includes the title “Type your message here” and when tapped bythe user, the user device, such as the device 106, provides a means suchas a keyboard for the user to input the text. A box 608 includes thetitle “Reply” and when pressed causes the message to be transmitted. Asdiscussed above, the steps of electronic message to speech conversionand generation of moving images of the animation character may occur bythe user's device, the server, or recipient device. As such, if the userdevice is so designated, tapping on the box 608 performs those steps andtransmits the speech and moving images. A box 610 provides some of theabove options and when tapped on a specific option it will direct theuser to another page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 7 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 700 in accordance with the present invention. A box 702includes the title of the page “Show My Original Text Message.”Sometimes, it is desirable to see the actual words of the text. Thispage is presented for the user to see the actual words of his/herelectronic message. A box 704 is used to display the words of the textthat was composed by the user. A similar page can be use to present theactual words of the a friend's electronic message. In this illustrativeexample, the user's text message is “Hello world! I'll transform yourtext into a film!” In an alternative embodiment, the converted speechcan also be played back via the device speakers at the same time itpresents the text of the message.

A box 706 includes the title “Type your message here” and when tapped bythe user, the user device, such as the device 102, provides a means suchas a keyboard for the user to input the text. A box 708 includes thetitle “Reply” and when pressed causes the message to be transmitted. Asdiscussed above, the steps of electronic message to speech conversionand generation of moving images of the animation character may occur bythe user's device, the server, or recipient device. As such, if the userdevice is so designated, tapping on the box 708 performs those steps andtransmits the speech and moving images. A box 710 provides some of theabove options and when tapped on a specific option it will direct theuser to another page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 8 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 800 in accordance with the present invention. A box 806includes the title of the page “My Profile.” A box 802 shows the user'sanimation character. When a recipient receives the user's electronicmessage, the recipient will be presented with moving images of thisanimation character uttering the text of the user's message. In thisillustrative example, the user selected the Avatar character for his/heranimation character. A box 804 shows certain information regarding theuser's name and address.

A box 808 includes the tile “Select Animation” and when tapped it willdirect the user to another page entitled “Select Animation.” Asdiscussed above in relation to 2D and 3D computer generated animationtechniques, a user can select a particular animation for his/heranimation character. For instance, a table can be presented from whichthe user may select the animation character. The table may includedifferent types of animation such as “tap dancing, “opera signing,” “catvoice,” John Wayne Walk,” “Clint Eastwood Voice,” etc. As such, theabove mentioned image animation and voice synthesization techniques canbe used to generate moving images and speech that are according to theselected animation type. For instance, the user may select his selfie ashis animation character and select “John Wayne Walk” and “John Wayne'sVoice” as the animation type and the recipient is presented with thesender's selfie walking like John Wayne's distinctive walk and utteringthe sender's text message in John Wayne's distinctive voice.

A box 810 includes the tile “Change Character” and when tapped it willdirect the user to another page entitled “Change Character,” discussedin more details below in relation with FIG. 9. A box 812 shows how theuser may edit his/her username and when tapped it will presented with aninput means, such as the keyboard of the device 102. A box 812 shows howthe user may edit his/her username and when tapped it will presentedwith an input means, such as the keyboard of the device 102. Boxes 814,816, 818, 820, and 822 show how the user may edit his/her first name,last name, email address, residence, and to save the changes,respectively, using the device 102's keyboard. A box 824 provides someof the above options and when tapped on a specific option it will directthe user to another page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 9 shows one preferred method of providing a user interface forcommunicating 900 in accordance with the present invention. A box 906includes the title of the page “Change Character.” Boxes 902, 910, 916,and 922 show images of animation characters that a user may select ashis/her animation character. The box 902 shows the animation characterof Jerry the Mouse, the box 910 shows the animation character of ClintEastwood, the box 916 shows the animation character of a cat, and thebox 922 shows the animation character Avatar. Boxes 904, 912, 918, and924 show the names of the animation characters. In this illustrativeexample, the box 904 shows the name of the animation character Jerry theMouse, the box 912 shows the name of the animation character ClintEastwood, the box 916 shows the name of the animation character Cat, andthe box 922 shows the name of the animation character Avatar. Boxes 908,914, 920, and 926 include the title “Play Sample.” When tapped, the useris directed to another page and will be presented with a sample ofmoving images and synthesized speech of the corresponding animationcharacter. A box 928 includes the title “Save” and when tapped theuser's animation character is changed. A box 930 provides some of theabove options and when tapped on a specific option it will direct theuser to another page with the corresponding title.

FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram 1000 of one preferred method ofcommunicating in accordance with the present invention which may beimplemented utilizing the computer network system depicted in FIG. 1.According to this embodiment, the method comprises composing anelectronic message, such as a text message, via the device 102, at 1002.The method further comprises selecting an animation character, via thedevice 102, at 1006. The method further comprises transmitting theelectronic message and animation character, via the device 102, at 1010.The method further comprises receiving the electronic message andanimation character, via the device 104, at 1014. The method furthercomprises converting the electronic message into speech, via the device104, at 1018. The method further comprises generating moving images ofthe animation character, via the device 104, at 1022. The method furthercomprises transmitting the speech and moving images, via the device 104,at 1026. The method further comprises receiving the speech and movingimages, via the device 106, at 1030. The method further comprisesoutputting the speech, via the device 106, at 1034. The method furthercomprises displaying the moving images, via the device 106, at 1038.

FIG. 11 shows a flow diagram 1100 of one preferred method ofcommunicating in accordance with the present invention which may beimplemented utilizing the computer network system depicted in FIG. 1.According to this embodiment, the method comprises composing anelectronic message, such as an email, via the device 102, at 1102. Themethod further comprises converting the electronic message into speech,via the device 102, at 1110. The method further comprises generatingmoving images of the animation character, via the device 102, at 1114.The method further comprises transmitting the speech and moving images,via the device 102, at 1118.

FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram 1200 of one preferred method ofcommunicating in accordance with the present invention which may beimplemented utilizing the computer network system depicted in FIG. 1.According to this embodiment, the method comprises receiving anelectronic message and an animation character, via the device 104, at1202. The method further comprises converting the electronic messageinto speech, via the device 104, at 1206. The method further comprisesgenerating moving images of the animation character, via the device 104,at 1210. The method further comprises transmitting the speech and movingimages, via the device 104, at 1214.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram 1300 of one preferred method ofcommunicating in accordance with the present invention which may beimplemented utilizing the computer network system depicted in FIG. 1.According to this embodiment, the method comprises receiving anelectronic message and an animation character, via the device 106, at1302. The method further comprises converting the electronic messageinto speech, via the device 106, at 1306. The method further comprisesgenerating moving images of the animation character, via the device 106,at 1310. The method further comprises outputting the speech, via thedevice 106, at 1314. The method further comprises displaying the movingimages, via the device 106, at 1318.

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram 1400 of one preferred method ofcommunicating in accordance with the present invention which may beimplemented utilizing the computer network system depicted in FIG. 1.According to this embodiment, the method comprises receiving anelectronic message and an animation character, via the device 106, at1402. The method further comprises converting the electronic messageinto speech, via the device 106, at 1406. The method further comprisesgenerating moving images of the animation character, via the device 106,at 1410. The method further comprises outputting the speech, via thedevice 106, at 1414. The method further comprises displaying the movingimages, via the device 106, at 1418. The method further comprisesreceiving a background-music identifier, via the device 106, at 1422.The method further comprises outputting a background music according tothe background-music identifier, via the device 106, at 1426.

The foregoing discloses methods, mediums, and computer network systemsfor communicating through electronic messages. To enhance thecommunication, the electronic message is transformed into moving imagesof animation characters uttering the content of the electronic message.Methods of the present invention including the user interface may beimplemented on devices such as smart phones. It provides users with aplatform where they can be creative and transform their plane electronicmessages into short films.

The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable codeon a non-transitory computer readable medium. A non-transitory computerreadable medium is any data storage device that can store data which canthereafter be read by a computer system, other than medium designedspecifically for propagating transitory signals. Examples ofnon-transitory computer readable media include floppy disks, flashmemory devices, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks,read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), erasableprogrammable ROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable ROMs(EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions. In various embodiments,software-instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium can beused in combination with hardwired circuitry to implement the presentinvention. Thus, the techniques are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software instructions, or to anyparticular source for the instructions executed by the data processingsystem associated with an apparatus for performing one or more of theoperations described herein.

User interface comprises components that interact with a user to receiveuser inputs and to present media and/or information. User interface mayinclude a speaker, microphone, buttons, lights, display screen, touchscreen, touch pad, scroll wheel, communication port, or some other userinput/output apparatus including combinations thereof.

The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, anddiscussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understandingthis invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of itand are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is thefollowing claims, including all equivalents, which are intended todefine the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine implemented method of communicating,comprising: (i) composing an electronic message, via a first devicehaving a processing unit and program code stored on a storage device ofsaid first device; (ii) selecting a well-known animation character, viathe first device; (iii) transmitting the electronic message, via thefirst device; (iv) transmitting the well-known animation character, viathe first device; (v) receiving the electronic message, via a serverhaving a processing unit and program code stored on a storage device ofsaid server; (vi) receiving the well-known animation character, via theserver; (vii) converting the electronic message into speech using one ofsynthesized voice of the well-known animation character and actual voiceof the well-known animation character, via the server; (viii) generatingmoving images of the well-known animation character, via the server;(ix) transmitting the speech, via the server; (x) transmitting themoving images, via the server; (xi) receiving the speech, via a seconddevice having a processing unit and program code stored on a storagedevice of said second device; (xii) receiving the moving images, via thesecond device; (xiii) outputting the speech, via the second device; and(xiv) displaying the moving images, via the second device.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: (xv) receiving a background-musicidentifier, via the second device; and (xvi) outputting a backgroundmusic according to the background-music identifier, via the seconddevice.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (xv) selecting atype of animation, via the first device; and wherein the step ofgenerating moving images of the well-known animation character comprisesgenerating moving images of the well-known animation character accordingto the type of animation.
 4. A machine implemented method ofcommunicating, comprising: (i) receiving an electronic message, via adevice having a processing unit and program code stored on a storagedevice of said device; (ii) receiving a well-known animation character,via the device; (iii) converting the electronic message into speechusing one of synthesized voice of the well-known animation character andactual voice of the well-known animation character, via the device; (iv)generating moving images of the well-known animation character, via thedevice; (v) outputting the speech, via the device; and (vi) displayingthe moving images, via the device.
 5. A non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium, which provides instructions that, when executed by aprocessing unit, causes the processing unit to perform communicationoperations according to a method as in claim
 4. 6. A device having aprocessing unit and program code stored on a storage device of saiddevice, said program code to perform a method as in claim 4 whenexecuted by said processing unit.
 7. A method for providing a userinterface for communicating, the user interface being accessible via thedevice, said method comprising a method as in claim
 4. 8. Anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium, which providesinstructions that, when executed by a processing unit, causes theprocessing unit to perform communication operations according to amethod as in claim
 7. 9. A device having a processing unit and programcode stored on a storage device of said device, said program code toperform a method as in claim 7 when executed by said processing unit.10. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic message is one ofinstant message, personal message, text message, e-mail, and voicemail.11. The method of claim 4, wherein the well-known animation character isone of human, animal, cartoon, and avatar.
 12. The method of claim 4,wherein the step of converting the electronic message into speechcomprises utilizing pre-recorded speech of the well-known animationcharacter.
 13. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of converting theelectronic message into speech comprises synthesizing speech of thewell-known animation character.
 14. The method of claim 4, wherein thestep of generating moving images of the well-known animation charactercomprises utilizing pre-animated images of the well-known animationcharacter.
 15. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of generatingmoving images of the well-known animation character comprises animatingimages of the well-known animation character.
 16. The method of claim 4,wherein the step of outputting the speech comprises playing back thespeech.
 17. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic messagecomprises a catch-phrase associated with the well-known animationcharacter.
 18. The method of claim 4, further comprising: (vii)receiving a background-music identifier, via the device; and (viii)outputting a background music according to the background-musicidentifier, via the device.
 19. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: (vii) selecting a type of animation, via the device; andwherein the step of generating moving images of the well-known animationcharacter comprises generating moving images of the well-known animationcharacter according to the type of animation.
 20. A computer networksystem for communication, comprising: (a) a first device having aprocessing unit and program code stored on a storage device of saidfirst device, said program code to perform a method when executed bysaid processing unit, said method, comprising: (i) composing anelectronic message; (ii) selecting a well-known animation character;(iii) transmitting the electronic message; (iv) transmitting thewell-known animation character; (b) a server having a processing unitand program code stored on a storage device of said server, said programcode to perform a method when executed by said processing unit, saidmethod, comprising: (i) receiving the electronic message; (ii) receivingthe well-known animation character; (iii) transmitting the electronicmessage; (iv) transmitting the well-known animation character; (c) asecond device having a processing unit and program code stored on astorage device of said second device, said program code to perform amethod when executed by said processing unit, said method, comprising(i) receiving the electronic message; (ii) receiving the well-knownanimation character; (iii) converting the electronic message into speechusing one of synthesized voice of the well-known animation character andactual voice of the well-known animation character; (iv) generatingmoving images of the well-known animation character; (v) outputting thespeech; and (vi) displaying the moving images.